Today there has finally been an update on the Harvey Weinstein case after months of being in limbo. The Me Too and Time’s Up movements have picked up momentum since the first news of his actions broke, but little has been determined about Weinstein’s fate. Tentatively, attorneys have reached a $44 million deal to settle several sexual assault lawsuits that began in 2017. The money would be covered by insurance companies on behalf of the now-bankrupt Weinstein Company.
Weinstein is accused of sexual violence against two women, and of sexual harassment by over 80 others. The proposed deal would pay the women who accused him and some former employees a total of $30 million, the rest going to legal fees. This is less than half of what was proposed last year as part of a victims’ fund deal, which was aiming for $90 million and ultimately fell through.
This settlement would not include an admission of guilt from either side according to its current proposed terms. Weinstein still pleads not guilty for the criminal charges against him in New York, which are not included in this settlement. His attorneys have stated that he continues to deny guilt on all charges, both civil and criminal.
The deal has not officially gone through yet, as discussions are to continue into next week.